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I have been coming to this location in Ballydonegan, just outside Allihies for over 20 years although it’s only in the last 10 that I have begun to make images that work for me. It’s a wonderful natural bowl shape of rock, smoothed by the constant waves and a great place to visit any time of the year. I made this image in winter during quite a stormy day and took my chance during a lull in the waves to get just the right balance of waves coming over the edge and staying dry !

I have been coming to this location in Ballydonegan, just outside Allihies for over 20 years although it’s only in the last 10 that I have begun to make images that work for me. It’s a wonderful natural bowl shape of rock, smoothed by the constant waves and a great place to visit any time of the year. I made this image in winter during quite a stormy day and took my chance during a lull in the waves to get just the right balance of waves coming over the edge and staying dry !

Bere Island, deceives and delights in equal measure. As you take the ferry over, the island looks fairly benign and featureless. However as you cross over to it’s southern shore, it’s wild and rugged coastline of cliffs and little coves is revealed with amazing remote and isolated walks.

Bere Island, deceives and delights in equal measure. As you take the ferry over, the island looks fairly benign and featureless. However as you cross over to it’s southern shore, it’s wild and rugged coastline of cliffs and little coves is revealed with amazing remote and isolated walks.

Bere Island, deceives and delights in equal measure. As you take the ferry over, the island looks fairly benign and featureless. However as you cross over to it’s southern shore, it’s wild and rugged coastline of cliffs and little coves is revealed with amazing remote and isolated walks.

Bere Island, deceives and delights in equal measure. As you take the ferry over, the island looks fairly benign and featureless. However as you cross over to it’s southern shore, it’s wild and rugged coastline of cliffs and little coves is revealed with amazing remote and isolated walks.

When I’m not in Kerry or West Cork.. Connermara is the next place that feels very special and one which I have a real connection to now. On previous visits I noticed these small little structures dotted around the landscape which intrigued me. Too small to be houses, or boat sheds I finally discovered the locals call them ‘ Bothainín ‘. Bothain is Irish for a hut, and adding -ín on to the word usually denotes it as being , little, small or in a name, junior.
It turns out they were little huts that bailiffs from the large estates would sit in and guard the running salmon on the rivers from local poachers. I spent a few days photographing them until finally found this one on the perfect morning with a brooding sky offset by the lovely warm colours of Autumn.

When I’m not in Kerry or West Cork.. Connermara is the next place that feels very special and one which I have a real connection to now. On previous visits I noticed these small little structures dotted around the landscape which intrigued me. Too small to be houses, or boat sheds I finally discovered the locals call them ‘ Bothainín ‘. Bothain is Irish for a hut, and adding -ín on to the word usually denotes it as being , little, small or in a name, junior.
It turns out they were little huts that bailiffs from the large estates would sit in and guard the running salmon on the rivers from local poachers. I spent a few days photographing them until finally found this one on the perfect morning with a brooding sky offset by the lovely warm colours of Autumn.

When I’m not in Kerry or West Cork.. Connermara is the next place that feels very special and one which I have a real connection to now. On previous visits I noticed these small little structures dotted around the landscape which intrigued me. Too small to be houses, or boat sheds I finally discovered the locals call them ‘ Bothainín ‘. Bothain is Irish for a hut, and adding -ín on to the word usually denotes it as being , little, small or in a name, junior.
It turns out they were little huts that bailiffs from the large estates would sit in and guard the running salmon on the rivers from local poachers. I spent a few days photographing them until finally found this one on the perfect morning with a brooding sky offset by the lovely warm colours of Autumn.

When I’m not in Kerry or West Cork.. Connermara is the next place that feels very special and one which I have a real connection to now. On previous visits I noticed these small little structures dotted around the landscape which intrigued me. Too small to be houses, or boat sheds I finally discovered the locals call them ‘ Bothainín ‘. Bothain is Irish for a hut, and adding -ín on to the word usually denotes it as being , little, small or in a name, junior.
It turns out they were little huts that bailiffs from the large estates would sit in and guard the running salmon on the rivers from local poachers. I spent a few days photographing them until finally found this one on the perfect morning with a brooding sky offset by the lovely warm colours of Autumn.

When I’m not in Kerry or West Cork.. Connermara is the next place that feels very special and one which I have a real connection to now. On previous visits I noticed these small little structures dotted around the landscape which intrigued me. Too small to be houses, or boat sheds I finally discovered the locals call them ‘ Bothainín ‘. Bothain is Irish for a hut, and adding -ín on to the word usually denotes it as being , little, small or in a name, junior.
It turns out they were little huts that bailiffs from the large estates would sit in and guard the running salmon on the rivers from local poachers. I spent a few days photographing them until finally found this one on the perfect morning with a brooding sky offset by the lovely warm colours of Autumn.

When I’m not in Kerry or West Cork.. Connermara is the next place that feels very special and one which I have a real connection to now. On previous visits I noticed these small little structures dotted around the landscape which intrigued me. Too small to be houses, or boat sheds I finally discovered the locals call them ‘ Bothainín ‘. Bothain is Irish for a hut, and adding -ín on to the word usually denotes it as being , little, small or in a name, junior.
It turns out they were little huts that bailiffs from the large estates would sit in and guard the running salmon on the rivers from local poachers. I spent a few days photographing them until finally found this one on the perfect morning with a brooding sky offset by the lovely warm colours of Autumn.

Any return to Castlegregory will always bring me walking along the ‘Back Beach’ at evening time, and I’m rarely disappointed by the dramatic light over the Atlantic. As a child I stood here and marvelled at the idea that the next stop was America.. I still do today.

Any return to Castlegregory will always bring me walking along the ‘Back Beach’ at evening time, and I’m rarely disappointed by the dramatic light over the Atlantic. As a child I stood here and marvelled at the idea that the next stop was America.. I still do today.

Having spent 4 days in Connemara without the rain stopping for more than 1 hour, I had thought the journey was going to be a fruitless one photography wise. But on the final morning I was determined to get out and hope for the best. Setting off in the dark and rain, I soon noticed a small chink of light in the sky ahead of me and waited for a while. The rain stopped long enough for me to get out of the car and make a few images before the heavens opened again , but that’s summers in Ireland for you !!

Having spent 4 days in Connemara without the rain stopping for more than 1 hour, I had thought the journey was going to be a fruitless one photography wise. But on the final morning I was determined to get out and hope for the best. Setting off in the dark and rain, I soon noticed a small chink of light in the sky ahead of me and waited for a while. The rain stopped long enough for me to get out of the car and make a few images before the heavens opened again , but that’s summers in Ireland for you !!

Having spent 4 days in Connemara without the rain stopping for more than 1 hour, I had thought the journey was going to be a fruitless one photography wise. But on the final morning I was determined to get out and hope for the best. Setting off in the dark and rain, I soon noticed a small chink of light in the sky ahead of me and waited for a while. The rain stopped long enough for me to get out of the car and make a few images before the heavens opened again , but that’s summers in Ireland for you !!

Having spent 4 days in Connemara without the rain stopping for more than 1 hour, I had thought the journey was going to be a fruitless one photography wise. But on the final morning I was determined to get out and hope for the best. Setting off in the dark and rain, I soon noticed a small chink of light in the sky ahead of me and waited for a while. The rain stopped long enough for me to get out of the car and make a few images before the heavens opened again , but that’s summers in Ireland for you !!

Having spent 4 days in Connemara without the rain stopping for more than 1 hour, I had thought the journey was going to be a fruitless one photography wise. But on the final morning I was determined to get out and hope for the best. Setting off in the dark and rain, I soon noticed a small chink of light in the sky ahead of me and waited for a while. The rain stopped long enough for me to get out of the car and make a few images before the heavens opened again , but that’s summers in Ireland for you !!

Having spent 4 days in Connemara without the rain stopping for more than 1 hour, I had thought the journey was going to be a fruitless one photography wise. But on the final morning I was determined to get out and hope for the best. Setting off in the dark and rain, I soon noticed a small chink of light in the sky ahead of me and waited for a while. The rain stopped long enough for me to get out of the car and make a few images before the heavens opened again , but that’s summers in Ireland for you !!

Coumeenoole is one of my favourite beaches in Kerry but also a hugely popular one for other photographers. I always strive to find something new and different when visiting popular locations and I worked hard to find this composition on the far side of the beach as the tide was coming in rapidly !

Coumeenoole is one of my favourite beaches in Kerry but also a hugely popular one for other photographers. I always strive to find something new and different when visiting popular locations and I worked hard to find this composition on the far side of the beach as the tide was coming in rapidly !

Derrynane is quite possibly the most beautiful beach in Ireland and a very special place for me. I have been coming here and photographing it right from the very beginning of my photographic journey and it's always a pleasure to come back here.
This image was made on a beautiful summer's evening just after sunset as the sky was filled with a radiated pink glow and soft light and spending the couple of hours watching the tide go out was well spent working out a nice minimal composition.

Derrynane is quite possibly the most beautiful beach in Ireland and a very special place for me. I have been coming here and photographing it right from the very beginning of my photographic journey and it's always a pleasure to come back here.
This image was made on a beautiful summer's evening just after sunset as the sky was filled with a radiated pink glow and soft light and spending the couple of hours watching the tide go out was well spent working out a nice minimal composition.

Taken on one of the most magical mornings I experienced during my three year book project on Killarney National Park. Setting off in the near dark gloom out on the lake, it didn’t look too good for photography but after stopping and soon seeing this lovely scene appear before my eyes out of the fog.. we were off to a great start for hugely successful morning on the lakes in the mist and fog.

Taken on one of the most magical mornings I experienced during my three year book project on Killarney National Park. Setting off in the near dark gloom out on the lake, it didn’t look too good for photography but after stopping and soon seeing this lovely scene appear before my eyes out of the fog.. we were off to a great start for hugely successful morning on the lakes in the mist and fog.

This image made in 1995 is probably my favourite of all time. Shot on film and printed many times by hand in the darkroom, it’s tones and textures and line make for a captivating print. Sadly the bridge is no longer there but this image always brings back great memories of the beginning of my photographic journey and always suggested a path ahead !

This image made in 1995 is probably my favourite of all time. Shot on film and printed many times by hand in the darkroom, it’s tones and textures and line make for a captivating print. Sadly the bridge is no longer there but this image always brings back great memories of the beginning of my photographic journey and always suggested a path ahead !

I had thought about this image for many years before I finally got to make it. I was in the UK, in the lake district and felt no connection at all. I quickly changed plans, rebooked a ferry and drove through the night to get to Mayo. The morning was overcast and stormy and Downpatrick Head deserted. It was perfect for a series of uninterrupted 3 minute long exposures, blurring the surf and clouds to contrast against the rock with it’s own time reference stamped in the rocks.

I had thought about this image for many years before I finally got to make it. I was in the UK, in the lake district and felt no connection at all. I quickly changed plans, rebooked a ferry and drove through the night to get to Mayo. The morning was overcast and stormy and Downpatrick Head deserted. It was perfect for a series of uninterrupted 3 minute long exposures, blurring the surf and clouds to contrast against the rock with it’s own time reference stamped in the rocks.

Heading out in bracing stormy conditions can be daunting but also exhilarating and rewarding. I always put safety first and get to know an area well before I come back in rough weather and work in a spot that is relatively danger free ! I love the drama of the crashing waves against these black rocks on the shores of Coulogh Bay in Eyeries.

Heading out in bracing stormy conditions can be daunting but also exhilarating and rewarding. I always put safety first and get to know an area well before I come back in rough weather and work in a spot that is relatively danger free ! I love the drama of the crashing waves against these black rocks on the shores of Coulogh Bay in Eyeries.

About

Norman McCloskey is a landscape photographer based in Kenmare, in the South West of Ireland. He has making images of the landscape here and beyond for over 20 years. He shoots commercially and for editorial clients and mixes all this up with some bespoke wedding photography for a small number of destinations in Kenmare... read more